Smithsonian Channel (Canada)
Smithsonian Channel is a Canadian pay television channel, owned and operated by Blue Ant Media. Minority partner is Smithsonian Networks, owners of the American channel, Smithsonian Channel, from which the brand is licensed and much of the programming is purchased from. The channel broadcasts factual programming on categories such as air and space, science and nature, pop culture, and history.
 | |
| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | National |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Blue Ant Media (93.33%) (2013–present) Smithsonian Networks (6.67%) |
| History | |
| Launched | September 5, 2006 |
| Former names | Equator HD (2006–2010) eqhd (2010–2013) |
| Links | |
| Website | Smithsonian Channel |
| Availability | |
| Cable | |
| Available on most cable systems | Channel slots vary on each operator |
| Satellite | |
| Bell Satellite TV | Channel 1663 |
| Shaw Direct | Channel 133 / 633 |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Aliant Fibe TV | Channel 447 |
| Bell Fibe TV | Channel 1663 |
| Bell MTS | Channel 1601 |
| Optik TV | Channel 715 |
| SaskTel | Channel 474 |
| VMedia | Channel 110 |
| RiverTV | Channel 9 (HD) |
History
In April 2006, John S. Panikkar (co-founder of the channel's original owner, High Fidelity HDTV), was granted a licence by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch MeridianHD, described as "a national, English-language Category 2 high definition (HD) specialty programming undertaking... that would consist of programs dedicated exclusively to the exploration of geography, people, places and cultures. The programming would focus on the roots of human development as well as teachings from other cultures and traditions in Canada and around the world. It would also focus on what impact human behaviour has on the natural environment and how the natural world affects human ritual and culture. The proposed service would not offer celebrity biographies or staged events."[1]
The channel launched on September 5, 2006[2] as Equator HD. Its brand was licensed and much of its programming was purchased from Rainbow Media, original owners of the now defunct Voom HD Networks, owners of Equator HD in the United States.[3] The channel broadcast factual programming relating to geography, people, and cultures such as The Bee Travelers, Earth Diaries, The Last Chapter of the Vietnam War, and Eurasian Empires.
Upon the closure of the American service of the same name in 2009, High Fidelity HDTV rebranded the channel as eqhd on August 23, 2010.,[4] focusing largely on the same genre of programming.
On December 21, 2011, High Fidelity HDTV, announced that it had entered into an agreement to be purchased outright by Blue Ant Media, majority owners of Glassbox Television and minority owners of Quarto Communications. While initially purchasing 29.9% of the company, the remaining 70.1% will be purchased once it is approved by the CRTC.[5]
On July 15, 2013, it was announced that Blue Ant Media had reached a deal to rebrand eqhd as a Canadian version of Smithsonian Channel.[6] Smithsonian Channel launched on November 13, 2013.[7] In 2016, Smithsonian Channel US bought a minority stake in the channel.[8]
References
- Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2006-176 CRTC 2006-04-28
- High Fidelity HDTV Launches 'Rush HD' and 'Equator HD' Broadcaster Magazine 2006-09-05
- Satellite TV Planet Archived 2016-01-19 at the Wayback Machine
- High Fidelity Rebrands Rush HD, Equator HD TVB.ca 2010-08-20
- Blue Ant Media Enters Agreement to Acquire High Fidelity HDTV CNW press release 2011-12-21
- Smithsonian Channel Launching in Canada This Fall
- SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL LAUNCHES IN CANADA WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13th Blue Ant Media press release 10 28 13
- Blue Ant Media Ownership Chart CRTC